Selector for railway-signals.



PATENTBD DEC. 15, 1902'. L. A. DE: BBRARD. SELECTOR FOR RAILWAY SIGNALS.

APPLICATION I 'ILED MAY 14, 1903.

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NO MODEL.

7m: mams m :10. wnmc uwm WASHINGTON Du? No. 746,661. PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903.

L. A. DE BERARD. .if

SELECTOR FOR RAILWAY SIGNALS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F9 5 2/ Fa n c'fiie ssw: I liwenjbr: L oculs fldeflerdrd No. 746,661. PATENTBD DEO.15,1903.

L. A. DE BERARD. A SELECTOR FOR RAILWAY SIGNALS.

APPLICIATION PILEP MAY 14, 1903. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES Patented December 15, 11903.

PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS A. DE BERARD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES J. DE BERARD, JR., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SELECTOR FOR RAILWAY-SIG NALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,661, dated December 15, 1903..

Application filed May 14, 1903. Serial No. 157,046. I (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS A. DE BERARD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Selectors for Railway-Signals, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to selecting mechanism for governing two or more railroad-signals; and my purpose therein has been to devise a practical construction of such mechanism and to avoid the objections to the mechanisms heretofore used, which have been operated to prevent their coming into general use.

The invention consists in the novel construction and novel combinations of parts and devices hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of the selecting mechanism, the cover or top of the casing being omitted. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan of the plate whereby the tower-man operates the selector. Fig. 4 is a plan of the base of the casing. Fig. 5 shows one of the signal-jaws detached, and Fig. 6 the shifterbar. Fig. 7 shows one of the locking-pins, and Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. l of a three-way selector.

My improved selector mechanism is inclosed in a casing consisting of a base 10 and a top or cover 11. The base may be supported on legs 12, and both base and top are provided with vertical flanges 13 around their edges, forming the vertical sides of the casing.

In both forms herein shown of the invention the base and cover are provided on their proximate faces with guideways in which vertically-arranged pins may move when actuated by the main actuator of the mechanism or by the switch, the pins serving both to couple the main actuator of the mechanism to the signal-operating devices and also as a means of locking both the switch and the signal or signals,which vertically-arranged pins, one for each signal, may be free to move both longitudinally and laterally of the casing when actuated by the tower-man or by the throwing of the switch, such pins serving both as a means of coupling the signal to be operated to a main actuator or'plate under the control of the tower-man and as a means of locking both the switch and the other signals during the time any one of the signals is cleared. These guideways are preferably formed by raised ridges cast on the surfaces of the base and cover, and the lateral ways are shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 at 14 and 15 and the longitudinal ways at 16 and 17, each of. the latter connecting with the inner end of one of the former, as plainly shown, and forming L-shaped ways. The ways of the cover, which are not illustrated in detail, are exactly coincident at all points with those of the base, so that the pins'18 and 19, which 55 are inserted one in each of the L-ways, are guided both at top and bottom.

20 is a reciprocating plate sliding longitudinally in the casing and connected with the tower by any suitable connection permitting it to be operated by the tower-man. It may be termed the main actuator and is provided with an eye 21 at its end for the attachment of said connection, and it is also provided with slots through which the pins pass freely and formed of lateral portions 22 and 23, opening at their outer ends into horizontal slots 24 and 25. The lateral parts of these slots are adapted to carry the pins through one of the longitudinal guideways 8o 16 or 17 when the plate is actuated.

A shifter, preferably consisting of two parallel barsv 25, bolted to a head 26, extends transversely through the casing and is provided with an eye 27, whereby it may be connected to the switch. This shifter moves with the switch when the latter opens. and closes, as will be understood, and it is provided with notches 28 on one edge, whereby it engages the pins, as seen at Fig. 1.

Each of the devices which connects with and operates one of the signals consists, preferably, of two fiat bars 29 29 and 30 30 one above and one below the plate'20, and entered in the casing from the end opposite to 5 the tower connection. The bars of each of these devices are bolted to a head 31, adapted to be connected to the pipe or wire leading to the signals. The bars are allprovided with transverse slots 32, formed partly in latroe eral enlargements 33, and theslots are all adapted to receive the pins already mentioned. These devices, which I call jaws, because that is a term by which they have become known at the shop where the mechanism has been made, are arranged in the casing with the lateral enlargements extending outward, as will be understood from Fig. 1, and the pins 18 and 19 are positioned loosely with their ends in the ways of the top and base and with their bodies passing through the slots of the plate 20 and the signal-jaws 29 and 30 and also engaging the slots of the shifter. Thus, as shown at Figs. 1 and 2, the pin 19 extends vertically through the slot 23 of plate 20 at the blind end of that slot and through slots 32 of jaw 30 and engages the right-hand slot of the shifter, and its ends are entered in the slots 15 of the base and cover at the junction with slots 17, while the pin 18 extends through slot 22 of the plate at the junction with slot 24, also through slots 32 of the signal-jaw 29, and engages the left hand notch of the shifter, and the ends of the pin are entered in the blind ends of the slots 14 of the base and cover.

With this construction the operation is as follows: Supposing the parts to be in the position illustrated at Fig. 1, if the tower-man slides the plate in the direction of the arrow it will be noticed that the plate will carry with it pin 19, because that pin is in the blind end of slot 23 and is permitted when in that position to traverse the longitudinal ways 17 of the casing. In this movement the pin carries the signal-jaw 30 with it and causes the operation of the signal of that jaw. This movement is, however, without effect upon the pin 18 and jaw 29, because in the movement of the plate the pin 18 merely enters slot 24 without changing its own position in any way. When the tower-man returns the plate to the position shown, he also causes the pin 19 to moveback, and thereby to carry the operated signal hack to its starting position. If now the shifter-bar is shifted to its other position, which in the case illustrated will be a movement to the right sufficient to carry the pins to the other ends of the slots 32 in the signal-jaws and to the other ends of the lateral slots in the plate end of the lateral guideways and takes place when the switch is changed, pin 18 will thereby be moved from the position previously described and stand in the blind end of slot 22 and where it can move into ways 16 when the tower-man next operates the plate, and thus carry jaw 29 with it and operate the signal thereof. The shifter will also at the same time have positioned pin 19 at the entrance to slot 25, so that it offers no resistance to the movement of the plate.

From this description it will be seen that the tower-man by first setting his switch is enabled with absolute certainty and without giving any thought whatever to the selection of the signal to set the proper signal by simply operating the plate 20. It should be noted also that while the plate 20 remains out of its normal position the shifter-bar cannot be moved, as the pin which remains stationary is then in the longitudinal slots of the plate and is thereby held against lateral movement, and this feature also insures the rengagement of the pin with the shifter-bar on the return of the former; also, that when either of the pins is in position to move with the plate the other pin is always in the lateral portion of the guideways of the casing and is thereby locked, so that it cannot be operated in such way as to change its corresponding signalin any manner until after the first-mentioned pin has been moved and returned .or until after the shifter has been moved to'its other position; also, that the pins are so confined that they cannot escape or get out ofposition; also, that none of the moving parts act by or are dependent upon gravity in their changes of position or relation to the other parts, and consequently there is no danger of loss of alinement.

At Fig. 8 I show the invention as adapted to be used as a three-way selector, the construction being very similar to the two-way selector shown in the other fignresthat is to say, there are similar traveling, locking, and coupling pins, one for each signal, similar guideways for each pin in the base and cover of the casing, slots in the actuatingplate, permitting the shifting of the pins and their longitudinal movement when operating the signal, a notched shifting-bar operated in harmony with the switch and having three positions, one for each pin, and connections from the pins to their respective signals. The base of this three-way selector is shown at 100, the actuator-plate at 200, the lockingpins at 180, 181, and 182, the jaws of the signal connections at 290, 291, and 292, and the shifter-bar at 250, with notches 280, 281, and 282. The plate 200 is provided with a single transverse slot 220 in lieu of the slots 22 and 23 of the other construction and with two wide longitudinal slots 240 and 241 of the two-way selector, the transverse slot crossing the ends of the longitudinal slots and connecting with them. The base and cover have longitudinal guideways 160, 161, and 162, which all open into a transverse guideway (not shown) corresponding in length to the slot 220 of the plate and located directly in register with that slot when the plate is in its normal position. The transverse guideway just mentioned serves the same purpose in this selector that is served by the ways 14 and 15 in the two-way mechanism. The shifter-bar has three positions, the central or normal one being shown with pin 181 in position to operate signal connection 291 and the other pins in line with slots 240 and 241. If with the pins thus positioned the plate is removed by the tower-man in the direction of the arrow, the pin 181 will moveinto guideways 161 and operate its signal connection,

and the other pins will be brought in contact with the outer sides of slots 240 and 241, thereby locking the shifter-bar until the pin 182 in the right end of slot 220 and also shift pins 180 and 181, so that when the plate is moved to operate pin 182 and its signal the pins 180 and 181 will come against the inner sides of the slots 240 and 241 and prevent further movement of the shifter until after the plate has returned to normal position. When the end 253 of said lever is moved, the lever pivots in like manner on the end 252, and the shifter-bar moves to the left, carrying pin 180 into position to operate its signal and causing the other pins on the movement of the plate tocontact with the inner sides of slots 2-10and.24l, therebylocking the bar until after the return of the plate to normal position. The shifter-bar returns always to its central or normal position after it has been moved to either extreme of its range of movement, the movements received from the switch-points being only sufficient to carry it to the extreme in either direction and to return it to its starting position. In this three-way selector the jaws 290, 291, and 292 of ,the signal connections do not have the lateral slots employed in the two-way selector; but instead they are provided with openings fitting the pins, and consequently must have freedom to move laterally with the pins.

It will be understood that the connection to the switches aside from the selector connection are so arranged that whenone switch is reversed the other is locked in normal position. 7

While the constructions I have shown are the best now known to me, it will be under stood that I do not wish to be limited thereto.

The locking-pins 18 and 19 are preferably provided with collars 34:, whereby the pins are sustained vertically upon the upper surface of the upper bars 29 and 30 instead of resting upon and creating friction with the floor of the guideways in the base.

I claim 1. In selector mechanism, the combination with stationary guideways, a longitudinallymovable actuator,a laterally-movable shifterbar, and jaws for operating the signals,of

movable pins engaged by the actuator, the bar for operating the signals, movable pins shifted laterally by the bar and moved longitudinally by the actuator, and stationary guideways in which the ends of the pins are entered.

4. The selector mechanism comprising a casing having guideways, a slotted actuator, a notched shifter-bar, jaws for operating the signals, and movable pins controlled by the guideways and passing through the actuator the notches of the shifter-bar and the jaws, and serving to couple the jaws to the actuator.

5. In a selector mechanism, the combination with a series of vertical pins movable bodily both transversely and longitudinally of the mechanism, of a series of jaws corresponding and connected to the pins, guideways for the ends of. the pins, a shifter-bar for shifting the pins transversely of the selector, and an actuator for moving the pins and jaws in operating the signals.

6. In a selector mechanism, the combination with a series of vertical pins horizontally movable both transversely and longitudinally of the mechanism, a series of jaws corresponding to and attached to the pins, stationary guideways for controlling the movements of the pins, a bar for shifting the pins transversely to bring them into operative position, and an actuator for moving the pins longitudinally, substantially as specified.

7. In selector mechanism, the combination with the vertically arranged and movable pins, of stationary guideways in which said pins may move, an actuator through which the pins pass and adapted to move them longitudinally, a shifter-bar whereby the position of the pins relative to the guideways is determined, and jaws for operating the signals, each connected to one of the pins and moving with it when it is moved by the actuator.

8. In selector mechanism, the combination with the vertically arranged and movable pins, of stationary longitudinal and transverse guideways in which said pins may move, an actuator through which the pins pass and adapted to move them longitudinally, a

shifter-bar whereby the position of the pins relative to the gnideways is determined, and jaws for operating the signals, each connected to one of the pins and moving with it when it is moved byv the actuator.

9. In selector mechanism for railway-signals, the combination of a sliding plate having a right-angled slot for each signal, vertical pins in said slots, right-angled ways for the pins, a shifter operated with the switch and having two positions, and signal connections one of which is coupled to said plate when the shifter is in one position and the other of which is coupled to the plate when the shifter is in its other position.

10. In selector mechanism, the combination with the signal connections, of a main actuling device for coupling each connection to said actuator, guideways for said devices, and a shifter operated with the switch and positioning said coupling devices and acting at each movement to position one of them in its acting position and the other in its non-acting position.

11. In selector mechanism for railway-signals, the combination with the slotted plate having a right-angled slot for each signal, right-angled guidewa'ys for the pins, vertical pins one of which is carried by said plate at each operation while the other remains stationary, a shifter operated with the switch and acting to shift the pins and thereby to determine which of them shall move with the plate, and connections to the signals coupled to the plate by the moving pin.

12. In selector mechanism for rail way-signals, the combination with the slotted plate having a right-angled slot for each signal, vertical pins in said slots for coupling the plate to the signal operating connection, guideways for said pins having lateral portions in which the pins may be locked, means for shifting the pins into and out of the lateral guideways, and the connections to the signals.

13. Theselectorforrailway-signals,consisting of a sliding plate operable by the towerman and having a right-angled slot for each signal, a pin for each signal movable in the corresponding slot, right-angled guideways for the pins, a shifter connected to and operated with the switch having notches engaging said pins and shifting them into and out of their operating positions, and means for operating the signals coupled to the plate by the pins.

14. The selectorforrailway-signals,consisting of a sliding plate operable by the towerman, and having a lateral slot and a longitudinal slot connecting with the lateral slot, for each signal, a pin for each signal movable in the corresponding slots of the plate, acasing having guideways for the pins part of which are lateral and part longitudinal, a shifter connected to and operated with the switch and acting to move the pins laterally, and connections to the signals coupled to said plate by the pins.

15. In selector mechanism,the combination of a slotted main actuator, operable from the tower, connections to the signals, a movable pin for each connection entered in a lateral slot therein, a shifter connected to the switch and controlling the positions of said pins, and guideways for the pins, the slots in the actuator and the guideways both having lateral portions.

16. In selector mechanism, the combination of a slotted main actuator operable by the tower-man, a separate connection to each signal, a movable pin entered in a lateral slot of each connection, a shifter connected to the switch and controlling the positions of said pins, and guideways for the pins.

17. The combination in a selector, of an actuator having both longitudinal and transverse slots, a shifter-bar, jaws for operating the signals, stationary guideways, and locking means movable in said slots and guideways and positioned by the shifter-bar.

18. In selector mechanism, thecombination of a slotted main actuator operable by the tower-man, a separate connection to each signal, means for locking said connections one at a time to the actuator, a transverse bar connected to the switch and serving to position said locking means,and stationary guides for the locking means.

19. The combination in a selector, of a casing having guideways with transverse portions, an actuator having slots with transverse portions, a shifter-bar movable transversely of the actuator, and locking means positioned by said bar, and acting to engage both the guideways and slots.

LOUIS A. DE BERABD.

Witnesses:

JOHN D. RIsTINE, BENTON 0. Bowen. 

